Toucher and Rich are #1

[readingradio]

Don't kid yourself; whenever you critique someone's show, you're taking pointed shots at them.

By your logic, Paul, your show in Kansas City must really suck! I mean, you're not from there, so how can you connect to the audience? But wait - you're on the highest rated rock station AND earning bonus checks...how is it even possible?

My point is this: if the audience is laughing and being entertained by compelling content, they really don't care where the host is from. The only people who seem to care are those who aren't laughing, or those who feel it is their birthright to work for a station they grew up listening to.

 

[Neanderpaul]

What I said was the "getting lost on the way to Kenmore Square after drinking at a Sox game" is not as universally received as the original poster believes. If you grew up here, it sounds like someone who doesn't know where they are, talking about something you've always known. That not having a frame of reference when presenting bits like that can be a potential negative.

Might be entertaining, but certainly paints one as an outsider.

And in one of the most parochial cities in America, where being an outsider is viewed with not only skepticism, but disdain, that doesn't serve you well. Especially when in this case, the show content is something that most people from there wouldn't consider anything out of the ordinary. Boston is unlike anywhere else. And the residents know it. They pride themselves on it. They use it as a reason to fight. If you're not one of them...you're not one of them. We hold a grudge for a long time. Dennis Leary referencing Bucky F'n Dent on Letterman 30 years later should be clear evidence of that.

And again...it's my opinion. I'm entitled to it. I may be wrong. But being from Boston, I'll argue it forever.

...it's what we do.

 

[readingradio]

And I submit that if you've never left a Sox game so drunk that you went the wrong way down Yawkey Way or Landsdowne St., then you are not a true Bostonian.

It was a joke. A bit. They, and the rest of WBCN, are most likely not doomed because of it.

People like them. Deal with it.

 

[TravisWMLN]

I think everyone here makes some very valid points....Paul is right, people don't like it when outsider's come to the market and know nothing and can't relate...just look at poor Eddie Webb, the guy had great talent...just wasn't from here and he didn't click with the market. Reading radio is also right that if it's funny...people will laugh...I wasn't around when Charles started at WBCN, but he was from LA, not Boston, and the Bostonian's accepted him as one of their own. I guess this debate is up for the listeners to decide....as a side note...I miss buzzy's roast beef

 

[bostonmusicman]

Paul made some very valid points. The whole Kenmore SQ drunk stuff I first mentioned draws you as an outsider but one can relate to seeing (or being) one of those idiots too hammered to figure out whether Park Street is inbound or outbound. For a listener to hear that it makes them recall stuff from the past and causes them to relate to it, regardless of the origin of the host. (as Travis pointed out regarding Charles)
Paul's first rant nailed it on the head though. These guys don't know all the little things Bostonians hold close to their heart, but apparently they know enough to get by, and nowadays thats what counts @ Entercom.

 

[Neanderpaul]

And I submit that if you've never left a Sox game so drunk that you went the wrong way down Yawkey Way or Landsdowne St., then you are not a true Bostonian.

It was a joke. A bit. They, and the rest of WBCN, are most likely not doomed because of it.

People like them. Deal with it.

They did well in one fragmented demo. In one book. I'm not saying people don't like them, or that they're not talented. But, let's not put the cart in front of the horse. M 18-44 (is that even a demo? I was under the impression it went 18-49) isn't exactly domination. How were those 25-54s? 18-34s? How about Persons? I'm not saying print numbers, but how about some rankers?

Those with a good grasp of the right program can extrap any data to make one look proficient in one demo.

Relax before annointing them kings. Put that kind of pressure on them and watch how quickly they're vilified by everyone here if they falter next book.

It happens.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Paul made some very valid points. The whole Kenmore SQ drunk stuff I first mentioned draws you as an outsider but one can relate to seeing (or being) one of those idiots too hammered to figure out whether Park Street is inbound or outbound. For a listener to hear that it makes them recall stuff from the past and causes them to relate to it, regardless of the origin of the host. (as Travis pointed out regarding Charles)
Paul's first rant nailed it on the head though. These guys don't know all the little things Bostonians hold close to their heart, but apparently they know enough to get by, and nowadays thats what counts @ Entercom.

I'll assume you meant CBS. You couldn't possibly have used this thread to take a shot at Entercom could you?

Again...We've been hearing this mantra; "Live & Local...Live & Local." And yet...the most "successful" shows aren't local at all, but cast the widest possible generic net.

It's all sort of contradictory.

Were Boston some generic city, with a melting pot where everyone is immediately accepted as a member of the community, this discussion wouldn't even happen. But, it's not. Boston is an intense place, suspicious of anyone not from there. It's well-known as one of the most aggressive cities in America. From driving, to the behavior of locals when asked for simple things like directions, or the time of day.

And if their favorite anything is perceived as not being representative of their lifestyle...then it's quickly cast aside as useless to their daily lives. And in Boston...rarely does anyone get a second chance at a first impression. We cannot be bothered. We came. We saw. We ripped it apart and left it for dead in the gutter. Next!

Somewhere, someday, someone will realize; Local radio should do everything in it's power to be the epicenter of the lifegroup it serves. Why does WEEI win? Because they speak to Bostonians. It might be a Sports station, but they hit so much non-sports content that people listen anyway. They do what they do better than anyone else. They are reflective of the average New Englander. That's one thing WFNX always did well when Max Tolkoff ran it. I always felt FNX blatantly served the college kids. And they did it right. Did it translate? Not in ratings no. But, in perception. And perception is always reality. Which is why selling numbers = death. Sell the lifestyle. Toucher & Rich have a way to go before being the guys Boston can relate to. They might be on their way, but not yet. They gotta get to the point where Boston rock listeners "trust" them. Like they did O&A after a while. When they started in Boston, the 'AAF listeners killed them. How they responded, and worked their way into the listeners' daily routines made them successful.

...but what the hell do I know? These are merely one bored guy's ramblings on a night where the heat index reads 105.

Beware the exploding cows!

 

[readingradio]

I love how "bostonmusicman" went from liking the bit T & R did to saying "Paul's first rant nailed it on the head." Which is, it? Did you laugh, or did it offend your hardcore local sensibilities?

Live and local, yes. But more importantly...live and CURRENT local. Do you really think some 22 year old on the south shore cares that a DJ wasn't around to see 'Til Tuesday in the Rumble? Or that a guy listening in Salem wants to hear about your "good old days" in Brockton?

Paul's right - Boston is not some "generic city." But that also means you can't lump all rock listeners together, or even worse, say the city as a whole will accept or reject you.

And I have no idea how the demos work. All I know is that if you go around bragging about how well you did in one book or one trend, you're playing a dangerous game of Arbitron roulette.

 

[radiodouble]

Paul made some very valid points. The whole Kenmore SQ drunk stuff I first mentioned draws you as an outsider but one can relate to seeing (or being) one of those idiots too hammered to figure out whether Park Street is inbound or outbound. For a listener to hear that it makes them recall stuff from the past and causes them to relate to it, regardless of the origin of the host. (as Travis pointed out regarding Charles)
Paul's first rant nailed it on the head though. These guys don't know all the little things Bostonians hold close to their heart, but apparently they know enough to get by, and nowadays thats what counts @ Entercom.

I'll assume you meant CBS. You couldn't possibly have used this thread to take a shot at Entercom could you?

Again...We've been hearing this mantra; "Live & Local...Live & Local." And yet...the most "successful" shows aren't local at all, but cast the widest possible generic net.

It's all sort of contradictory.

Were Boston some generic city, with a melting pot where everyone is immediately accepted as a member of the community, this discussion wouldn't even happen. But, it's not. Boston is an intense place, suspicious of anyone not from there. It's well-known as one of the most aggressive cities in America. From driving, to the behavior of locals when asked for simple things like directions, or the time of day.

And if their favorite anything is perceived as not being representative of their lifestyle...then it's quickly cast aside as useless to their daily lives. And in Boston...rarely does anyone get a second chance at a first impression. We cannot be bothered. We came. We saw. We ripped it apart and left it for dead in the gutter. Next!

Somewhere, someday, someone will realize; Local radio should do everything in it's power to be the epicenter of the lifegroup it serves. Why does WEEI win? Because they speak to Bostonians. It might be a Sports station, but they hit so much non-sports content that people listen anyway. They do what they do better than anyone else. They are reflective of the average New Englander. That's one thing WFNX always did well when Max Tolkoff ran it. I always felt FNX blatantly served the college kids. And they did it right. Did it translate? Not in ratings no. But, in perception. And perception is always reality. Which is why selling numbers = death. Sell the lifestyle. Toucher & Rich have a way to go before being the guys Boston can relate to. They might be on their way, but not yet. They gotta get to the point where Boston rock listeners "trust" them. Like they did O&A after a while. When they started in Boston, the 'AAF listeners killed them. How they responded, and worked their way into the listeners' daily routines made them successful.

...but what the hell do I know? These are merely one bored guy's ramblings on a night where the heat index reads 105.

Beware the exploding cows!

yes, wfnx is a radio landmark staffed by jocks who are not from boston, playing non-boston artists who are produced by non-boston based record labels. and those college kids who will slam their oversized uhauls into storrow drive overpasses on aug.31st are also from somewhere else. your live and local point is a bunch of bull.

and by the way, narcisuss is an effin' gap. it's called progress, paul.

 

[Kaliber]

And I submit that if you've never left a Sox game so drunk that you went the wrong way down Yawkey Way or Landsdowne St., then you are not a true Bostonian.

It was a joke. A bit. They, and the rest of WBCN, are most likely not doomed because of it.

People like them. Deal with it.

They did well in one fragmented demo. In one book. I'm not saying people don't like them, or that they're not talented. But, let's not put the cart in front of the horse. M 18-44 (is that even a demo? I was under the impression it went 18-49) isn't exactly domination. How were those 25-54s? 18-34s? How about Persons? I'm not saying print numbers, but how about some rankers?

Those with a good grasp of the right program can extrap any data to make one look proficient in one demo.

Relax before annointing them kings. Put that kind of pressure on them and watch how quickly they're vilified by everyone here if they falter next book.

It happens.

Men 18-44 isn't some "extrapolated" demo. It's THE demo when it comes to rock radio. That's why most people in the rock format are bonused on that exact demo.

And FYI, they are #2 Men 18-34 (only behind Jammin' and over 4 points ahead of #3), and #3 Men 18+. Even the oldest person in their target demo was too young to care about 'Til Tuesday winning anything.

 

[johnster]

I think everyone here makes some very valid points....Paul is right, people don't like it when outsider's come to the market and know nothing and can't relate...just look at poor Eddie Webb, the guy had great talent...just wasn't from here and he didn't click with the market. Reading radio is also right that if it's funny...people will laugh...I wasn't around when Charles started at WBCN, but he was from LA, not Boston, and the Bostonian's accepted him as one of their own. I guess this debate is up for the listeners to decide....as a side note...I miss buzzy's roast beef

Charles and the whole Laquidara clan grew up in the Milford MA area. Much of his family still lives in the Area. He went to college at Rhode Island School of Design. You may be confused because Charles left Boston for a few years and lived in LA and then returned to BCN. But he was born and raised here.

 

[Neanderpaul]

yes, wfnx is a radio landmark staffed by jocks who are not from boston, playing non-boston artists who are produced by non-boston based record labels. and those college kids who will slam their oversized uhauls into storrow drive overpasses on aug.31st are also from somewhere else. your live and local point is a bunch of bull.
and by the way, narcisuss is an effin' gap. it's called progress, paul.

You just made my point. WFNX knows its audience. They speak to the unfamiliar in a voice they get. They know they're not from there. So, they educate their audience to their new surroundings. Thanks for illustrating in such short order, what I've been saying for 4 posts. They don't translate to locals because that's not who they serve. Meanwhile, WBZ has been on top for how long? And why?

I know what Narcissus became. And the Rat. And Spit, and Jonathan Swifts. And Grovers, Derringers etc. I also know that if you're targeting 25-54s, you better be able to speak on stuff that they did as kids. That includes all of the things I listed prior. And then some...

My point is made. Thanks.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Men 18-44 isn't some "extrapolated" demo. It's THE demo when it comes to rock radio. That's why most people in the rock format are bonused on that exact demo.

I guess "Persons 25-54" being called the "money demo" all these years is just garbage? That's why so many Rock stations are on record as targeting "Men 18-44" right? Usually "Men 18-34" or "Men 25-54". Mostly it's PERSONS. Either 18-34, or 25-54 with an emphasis on either male, or female within. To call out Men 18-44 as the primary focus demo is unique to say the least. In all the years I've done this, at every station I've been at, NEVER have I known anyone bonused on "Men 18-44." Men 18-49? Yep. I cashed that bonus check at 'AAF. But, it was a peripheral to the focused Men 18-34.

"Men 18-44" is a great demo to pull when the conventional numbers don't favor you. Arbitron doesn't list it as a monitored demo. It's a breakout you use when you didn't place conventionally.

Congratulations to T&R. I hope it carries over to the fall.

And FYI, they are #2 Men 18-34 (only behind Jammin' and over 4 points ahead of #3), and #3 Men 18+. Even the oldest person in their target demo was too young to care about 'Til Tuesday winning anything.

Yeah but what about the Sox winning their first series in 86 years? Can they possibly comprehend that? Do they know what it felt like to be standing at Who's On First with 500 people you don't know, and moments later you're all connected by something 4 generations never saw? Especially after the crushing previous two years? No they cannot. But their listeners sure can. How about the Pats beating the Raiders in the snow just a few years ago and going on to win their first of 3 Superbowls? Nope. And that happened on their station. They can't know what it was like to suffer through Zeke Mowatt, Irving Fryar, and Victor Kiam. They don't get that. Cam Neely's number being raised? The Bosstones? Dropkick Murphys? Laconia? Marathon Monday? Evacuation Day?

You can continue to harp on the "til tuesday" reference all you want. But, I stand by my assertions. They're not from there, and have yet to endear themselves to Bostonians. It may happen. It looks to be starting. But to come on here and tout them as the next wave of legendary Boston radio personalities is premature.

Boston is and always will be suspicious of outsiders. T&R are outsiders. And it's going to take some time for them to be welcomed. Once that happens, they will be beloved to the point that bar fights will erupt if someone speaks ill of them.

THEN...they will be Boston.

 

[TravisWMLN]

Charles and the whole Laquidara clan grew up in the Milford MA area. Much of his family still lives in the Area. He went to college at Rhode Island School of Design. You may be confused because Charles left Boston for a few years and lived in LA and then returned to BCN. But he was born and raised here.
[/quote]

according to wikipedia....you're right

 

[bostonmusicman]

I was confused the previous poster tossed me off by saying he came from LA.

Readingradio, I didnt switch my view. Paul was right in saying they aren't local and their branding as such is basically crap. Yes they are local, as in presently located in Boston and not voice tracked, but their basis in Boston when they were raised, raises the question Paul asks "How can they say they are local when they just moved in months ago"

My point then was, regardless of where they are from, their first book was great for them, and it would be good for them (and more so BCN) to continue with the good books. Just like Stern did being piped in. Am I saying T&R are Stern? No way. But they are doing something right if they are winning.

 

[Brooklyndon]

yes, wfnx is a radio landmark staffed by jocks who are not from boston, playing non-boston artists who are produced by non-boston based record labels. and those college kids who will slam their oversized uhauls into storrow drive overpasses on aug.31st are also from somewhere else. your live and local point is a bunch of bull.
and by the way, narcisuss is an effin' gap. it's called progress, paul.

You just made my point. WFNX knows its audience. They speak to the unfamiliar in a voice they get. They know they're not from there. So, they educate their audience to their new surroundings. Thanks for illustrating in such short order, what I've been saying for 4 posts. They don't translate to locals because that's not who they serve. Meanwhile, WBZ has been on top for how long? And why?

I know what Narcissus became. And the Rat. And Spit, and Jonathan Swifts. And Grovers, Derringers etc. I also know that if you're targeting 25-54s, you better be able to speak on stuff that they did as kids. That includes all of the things I listed prior. And then some...

My point is made. Thanks.

When I was a local in Boston (from like '83 to '02) I pretty much exclusively listened to FNX becasue BCN was shite. FNX doesn't cateer to out of towners, it caters to that subsection of the 33% of people in town who actually graduated college and enjoy microbrews and german cars.

 

[brightonboris]

yes, wfnx is a radio landmark staffed by jocks who are not from boston, playing non-boston artists who are produced by non-boston based record labels. and those college kids who will slam their oversized uhauls into storrow drive overpasses on aug.31st are also from somewhere else. your live and local point is a bunch of bull.
and by the way, narcisuss is an effin' gap. it's called progress, paul.

You just made my point. WFNX knows its audience. They speak to the unfamiliar in a voice they get. They know they're not from there. So, they educate their audience to their new surroundings. Thanks for illustrating in such short order, what I've been saying for 4 posts. They don't translate to locals because that's not who they serve. Meanwhile, WBZ has been on top for how long? And why?

I know what Narcissus became. And the Rat. And Spit, and Jonathan Swifts. And Grovers, Derringers etc. I also know that if you're targeting 25-54s, you better be able to speak on stuff that they did as kids. That includes all of the things I listed prior. And then some...

My point is made. Thanks.

When I was a local in Boston (from like '83 to '02) I pretty much exclusively listened to FNX becasue BCN was shite. FNX doesn't cateer to out of towners, it caters to that subsection of the 33% of people in town who actually graduated college and enjoy microbrews and german cars.

Are we back on the old VW TV ad with two guys picking up and then discarding a chair they find on the curbside while WFNX's Leftover Lunch is playing "Da Da Da" on the car radio? That's their audience? You kidding us, right?

 

[Brooklyndon]

Are we back on the old VW TV ad with two guys picking up and then discarding a chair they find on the curbside while WFNX's Leftover Lunch is playing "Da Da Da" on the car radio? That's their audience? You kidding us, right?

A-ticka-ticka-ticka

Spot on, that's WFNX's audience.

 

[Signpost]

Are we back on the old VW TV ad with two guys picking up and then discarding a chair they find on the curbside while WFNX's Leftover Lunch is playing "Da Da Da" on the car radio? That's their audience? You kidding us, right?

That does sum up the FNX audience pretty well. Remember: stereotypes save time. [the onion.com]

 

[mygiraffro]

Charles and the whole Laquidara clan grew up in the Milford MA area. Much of his family still lives in the Area. He went to college at Rhode Island School of Design. You may be confused because Charles left Boston for a few years and lived in LA and then returned to BCN. But he was born and raised here.

This is true...I know his daughter...and saw her sans clothing not too long ago...

/useless information which adds nothing to the conversation at hand.